Gradient nanoparticle-carbon allotrope-polymer composite material

Abstract

A shock wave attenuating material ( 100 ) includes a substrate layer ( 104 ). A plurality ( 110 ) of shock attenuating layers is disposed on the substrate layer ( 104 ). Each of the plurality ( 110 ) of shock attenuating layers includes a gradient nanoparticle layer ( 114 ) including a plurality of nanoparticles ( 120 ) of different diameters that are arranged in a gradient from smallest diameter to largest diameter and a graphitic layer ( 118 ) disposed adjacent to the gradient nanoparticle layer. The graphitic layer ( 118 ) includes a plurality of carbon allotrope members ( 128 ) suspended in a matrix ( 124 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A shock wave attenuating material, comprising:
 a plurality of shock attenuating layers, each one of the plurality of shock attenuating layers comprising:
 (i) a gradient nanoparticle layer including a plurality of nanoparticles of at least two different diameters that are arranged in a gradient based on nanoparticle diameters, wherein the two different diameter nanoparticles having a radius difference on the order of 10% or more, wherein the diameters are between approximately 130 nm and approximately 400 nm, and wherein the nanoparticles comprise polymers or ceramics and have an energy loss per collision of approximately 5% or more; and 
 (ii) a carbon allotrope layer disposed adjacent to the gradient nanoparticle layer, the carbon allotrope layer including a plurality of carbon allotrope members suspended in a matrix, wherein the carbon allotrope layer reflects a portion of the shock wave to generate destructive interference with residual shock energy, wherein the carbon allotrope members consist essentially of carbon nanotubes. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , disposed in a helmet. 
     
     
       3. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 2 , wherein the helmet member is selected from the group consisting of: a high density plastic, a composite, fiber glass, a para-aramid synthetic fiber composite, a vinyl, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, an acrylic, a metal, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       4. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , disposed in a portion of an armor unit, wherein the armor unit further comprises a structural element and an armor plate. 
     
     
       5. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 4 , wherein the structural element comprises at least one of a ceiling, a floor or a wall of a vehicle. 
     
     
       6. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 4 , wherein the structural element comprises a body armor assemblage. 
     
     
       7. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , disposed in a portion of a personal body armor unit comprising a ceramic plate, a high mass member disposed adjacent to the ceramic plate, and the plurality of shock attenuating layers disposed on the high mass member. 
     
     
       8. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 7 , wherein the high mass member comprises a material selected from a list of materials consisting of: ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, a para-aramid synthetic fiber composite, a carbon fiber composite, a metal, a ceramic and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       9. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , further comprising a substrate layer, wherein the plurality of shock attenuating layers are disposed on the substrate layer. 
     
     
       10. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , wherein the gradient comprises the plurality of nanoparticles of different diameters arranged in a gradient array from smallest diameter to largest diameter. 
     
     
       11. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , disposed on a computer or hardware casing. 
     
     
       12. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , disposed as an exterior coating, film, intermediate layer or panel to pre-existing equipment. 
     
     
       13. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , disposed on sports equipment. 
     
     
       14. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , further comprising at least 10 shock attenuating layers. 
     
     
       15. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 14 , wherein the gradient nanoparticle layer comprises 30 layers of nanoparticles. 
     
     
       16. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , wherein the gradient nanoparticle layer comprises a tapered gradient. 
     
     
       17. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 16 , wherein the tapered gradient comprises particles between approximately 160 nm in diameter and approximately 400 nm in diameter. 
     
     
       18. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , wherein the shockwave attenuating material is approximately 1 mm thick. 
     
     
       19. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon allotrope layer reflects at least a portion of a shock wave impinging thereupon. 
     
     
       20. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 9 , wherein the substrate is polycarbonate. 
     
     
       21. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles are not carbon allotrope members. 
     
     
       22. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , wherein the shockwave attenuating material is transparent. 
     
     
       23. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon allotrope members are functionalized. 
     
     
       24. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 23 , wherein the carbon allotrope members are functionalized with carboxylic acid or amines, hydroxylated, or carboxylated. 
     
     
       25. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , wherein the polymers are polystyrene. 
     
     
       26. The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramics are silica.